Knowing Christ

Intro

Intro

1. Discover the real worth of the things you love (7-9)

Philippians 3:7–9 NIV

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

phil 3:7-9

Consider your wins as losses.

Philippians 3:4–6 NIV

though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

phil 3

Self-Righteousness vs. Christ’s Righteousness

Self Righteousness

works

pride

death

Christ’s Righteousness

grace

humility

life

2. Count the Cost of Knowing Christ (10-11)

you can’t share in resurrection power unless you are willing to participate in the pain.

Philippians 3:10–11 NIV

I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3:9–11 NIV

and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

phil 3:

Know = more than information. It means sharing in a reality of the relationship. Paul wants to know Christ, and participate in the resurrection and even the sufferings.

Colossians 1:24 NIV

Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

Paul’s intent is not to suffer without purpose, but to suffer for the sake of the growth of the Church.

3. Relentlessly Pursue Christ and Life in Him (12-14)

Philippians 3:12–14 NIV

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

take stock of your present growth

press on towards maturity

forget what is behind

strain towards the prize

take stock of your present growth (i haven’t yet obtained it)

press on towards maturity (ESV - to possess)

forget what is behind (stop looking in the rear view mirror…our best days are still ahead)

strain towards the prize (exert energy towards this)

Conclusion:

Hard work is part of reality.

The question is what you will work to obtain.

Paul’s work to achieve his life before Christ was arduous

Suffering is part of human existence.

The question is not whether you will suffer, but will you suffer with a purpose? To see if shape you and others into the image of Christ.